Viltrox recently announced its new AF 85mm F1.4 Pro FE, the company’s first full-frame entry in its Pro Series, engineered specifically for Sony E-mount cameras.
It features an advanced optical design including 15 elements and 11 groups, which is claimed to deliver exceptional sharpness and excellent control of coma aberration.
Key features
- Full-Frame | f/1.4 to f/16
- Fast Portrait-Length Lens
- Dual Hyper VCM Motors
- Customizable Fn Button & Switches
- 9 HR, 3 ED, 1 UA Lens Elements
- 2.6′ Minimum Focusing Distance
- HD Multilayer Nano Coating
- Weather-Sealed Metal Body
- Dust- and Splash-Resistant Construction
- USB Port for Firmware Updates
The Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro FE leverages an ultra-large, precision aspherical lens. It is claimed to achieve peak aberration control and onion ring control even at F1.4, delivering consistent sharpness from center to edge.
The lens also includes three low-dispersion ED elements to minimize chromatic aberration, and nine high-refractive index elements that maintain clarity. Viltrox’s advanced nano-coating minimizes ghosting and flare, even in challenging lighting such as backlit scenes.
AF
Viltrox’s patented HyperVCM autofocus motor is claimed to deliver exceptionally fast, quiet, and smooth focusing. In the AF 85mm F1.4 Pro FE, the dual HyperVCM motor is said to outperform traditional STM motors, offering significantly faster focus speed, lower focus noise, and superior precision. This translates to a 150% boost in focusing speed, enabling near-to-far focus shifts in just 100ms. With micrometer-level positioning accuracy, the lens achieves reliable focus even under extremely shallow depth of field conditions. Combined with real-time eye and face detection (compatible with a wide range of cameras), it maintains accurate focus on moving subjects. Crucially, the motor’s quiet operation and smooth, precise focus transitions ensure highly reliable video performance. When manual control is preferred, users can instantly switch via the dedicated AF/MF switch.
The AF performance is generally pretty good. We tried the lens out with the Sony FX3, and for the most part, it performed well. It did struggle a bit in high contrast, backlit environments that were dark, but that is probably a camera limitation as well.
Size & Weight
The lens weighs in at 800g / 1.8 lb, and it has dimensions of ø: 3.3 x L: 4.3″ / ø: 84.5 x L: 108.5 mm.
| WEIGHT | |
| Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro FE | 800g / 1.8 lb |
| Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II Lens | 642g / 1.41 lb |
| Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 FE II | 509g / 1.12 lb |
| Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art | 625g / 1.38 lb |
Above you can see how its weight compares to some of the competition. The Viltrox is quite a bit heavier than the other lenses.
I personally didn’t feel like the lens was that heavy, and it is easy to use with small-sized cameras like the Sony FX3.
Build Quality
The Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro FE is dust and splash-resistant. It features a full metal construction, and as I just previously mentioned, it is heavier than other competing options.
It is certainly solidly made and well constructed. The only thing I did notice is that when you pick up the lens, you can feel the internals moving around.
Focus Breathing
The lens has very little focus breathing, which is nice to see. In the example footage down further in the review, you can see that even with quite large focus throws, there is very little evidence of breathing.
Other Features
There is a customizable focus function button; an aperture ring click switch, switchable between stepped and stepless, which is ideal for hybrid photo and video use.
The stepless aperture ring works well, and it has a nice amount of resistance to it.
You can also use the Viltrox App for firmware updates and function customization via the USB-C input on the lens.
The lens supports EXIF data transmission with compatible cameras and accepts a standard 77mm filter.
Above, you can see that I have attached a VND to the lens.
Real World Use
The lens performs well. While it doesn’t have a lot of interesting optical characteristics, it’s very sharp and clean. Having the ability to shoot at F1.4 and still capture sharp images can be very handy, especially in low light environments.
Above you can see some quick footage that was taken by a colleague of mine who owns a Sony FX3. He liked using the lens and found it to be nice and sharp. He also thought the AF performance was also pretty good for a non native Sony lens.
Price & Availability
The Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro FE is now available for $598 USD.
| PRICE | |
| Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro FE | $598 USD |
| Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II Lens | $1,948 USD |
| Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 FE II | $599 USD |
| Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art | $1,199 USD |
Above, you can see how that price compares to the competition.
Thoughts
The Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro FE is very solid offering and it produces nice sharp images even when used wide open. The lack of focus breathing and the AF performance make it a good option if you are shooting video. At $598 USD it is also very affordable.
